Saving Grace

bursting with colour fall's harmony delights leaves playfully dance darkness blankets the sky. the crispness in the air sharply pricks my cheeks tears feel like icicles stinging, unforgiving, cold. the beach is deserted long gone is the laughter all i hear is the ocean waves violent & crashing. what once was my sanctuary i only feel lost & alone the emptiness overwhelms me reality too much for me to bear. i fall to my knees sand coarse, knuckles white, wrapped tightly in dispair i begin to rock; i rock. time has no meaning as i gasp for air nose running, lips quivering i am scared; out of control. his heart is frozen, eyes vacant and haunting a souless shell in disguise, as a caring man was who i chose to love, and who he chose to hate me. the how & why i don't understand as the brutality of his words cruelly replay; they replay breaking my heart, piece by piece. a homeless man limps over to me i look up, smile, his eyes are kind, he gently puts his hand on my shoulder and stares out at the ocean with me. i try to calm my shaking body extend my wobbly hand to his he has one limb & three fingers missing i accept as he helps me to stand. on this desolate beach feeling isolated & broken i realized at that very moment this man with kind eyes was my saving grace. suffering in silence, i allowed abuse and rage, i quietly accepted. for it was this tender, gentle man who showed me love in it's purest form.